Newly-elected Bishop, Grant
Ikuta (front row, middle)
Born in Vancouver, BC, raised
in Calgary, Alberta, Bishop Grant Ikuta becomes the first
Canadian-born Socho (Head Minister) of the Jodo Shinshu
Buddhist Temples of Canada. The announcement was made at
the 2011 Annual General Meeting of the JSBTC in Toronto.
Socho Ikuta is the third generation of his family to serve
as a Minister in Canada. He follows his father, Reverend
Susumu Kyojo Ikuta who also was named Bishop in 1998.
Socho Ikuta will be based at the Steveston Buddhist Temple
where he has been the Senior Minister since 1996.
Previously, Ikuta served over fifteen years as a Resident
Minister of the Toronto Buddhist Church. During his term in
Toronto, he was part of the organizing team that oversaw
the building of the Toronto Buddhist Church in 2005.
Ikuta visits former students in Toronto
Bishop Ikuta is married and has
four children.
He is looking forward to new challenges and opportunities
as the head minister of the JSBTC. Ikuta quotes an old
Buddhist adage stating that life is constantly changing and
it is how we deal with the changes that makes the
difference in how we live our lives.
KIKU WA ICHIJI NO HAJI, KIKAZARU WA MATSUDAI NO HAJI -
Asking a question is of momentary embarrassment. Not asking
is a lifetime shame.